Planning

The Planning process

If you are intending to submit a planning application, or you want to make comments about an application for consideration in the decision making process, then you must do so via the Uttlesford District Council (UDC) planning site, here.

If you know the reference number of an application you can search for it directly. Alternatively you can search for planning applications in your post code here.

You can also register with UDC to receive alerts to Planning Applications in your postcode, here. After entering a postcode a localised map appears. You can then click underneath on the “Show results in larger map” and then “enable filter” to get a view of anything in your immediate area.

What role does the Parish Council have?

Felsted Parish Council is invited by UDC to offer opinion and views on planning applications. We do not make the decision to accept or refuse applications. We are consultees, in the same way as residents of the Parish are.

Planning applications affecting the Parish, and our parishoners, can be anything from a small extension to a property, to pruning a tree in the conservation zone, to a major housing development.

The processing of these applications, and the decision to accept or refuse them, is made by UDC, either at officer or Committee level.

Although some applications require UDC to alert neighbours to the application, through letters and public notices, this is not so in all instances. It is also important to understand that, even if neighbours are alerted to an application, you will NOT receive further updates regarding decision dates or changes to the decision making process or schedule should, for example, the decision be referred to the full UDC Planning Committee.

The process by which an application works its way through the UDC planning process can be complicated and can take many routes, with applications being amended, withdrawn and resubmitted.

If an application is approved then there is no process for appeal. However, if refused then there are a number of potential appeal processes for applicants. It is therefore important to remain aware of an application affecting you since it may go to appeal.

If you wish to remain updated regarding the status of a specific application that affects you then you should keep watching the ‘summary’ and ‘important dates’ tabs on the application page. You can also talk to UDC planning officers on 01799 510510, or email at planning@uttlesford.gov.uk.

Felsted Parish Council Planning Committee

The committee meets once a month on the 13th day after the main Council meeting, which is usually the third Tuesday, but can be the second Tuesday. You can check the date of future meetings on the web calendar here. We review new applications and agree on the submission of comments.

Forthcoming agendas for the Felsted Parish Council Planning Committee can be read here. You can use the agenda to access planning details by clicking on the highlighted blue “link” to go directly to the specific planning application.

You are welcome to attend this meeting and to speak in the public section at the start of the meeting.

The subsequent minutes for the Felsted Parish Council Planning Committee can be read here.